Have you ever wondered how programs on your computer and the websites you visit “talk” to each other? To understand that, we first have to delve into the weird and wonderful world of APIs, or Application Programing Interfaces.

What is An API?

The phrase API appears regularly in computer-science fields. But what does it mean? Well, definitively put, it refers to a tool, or library, that assists developers in writing code that interfaces with other software. These can range from the low-level tools that allow Windows and OS X applications to use aspects of the underlying operating system, to those powering the apps on your phone. In short, it defines a way in which a computer program communicates with another computer program.

But APIs aren’t inherently interesting. The application of these tools is what really matters. Here’s how APIs are making the web awesome, opening up governments, and increasing consumer choice.

APIs in Business

You might assume that the technology world is inherently cut-throat, with incumbents not wishing to provide a leg-up to the competition. But you’d be wrong. Indeed, many large technology firms, such as Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook, even allow the use of their service by third parties and competitors.

Yes, there’s a genuinely compelling commercial reason why a competitor would release an API, and then have allow anyone to use it. With respect to Facebook and Twitter, we see how third parties have enriched these services with their own code. A great example of this is seen in Klout, which allows developers to measure their social influence, find influential people in their spheres of interest, and schedule Tweets and Facebook postings.

APIs In The Browser

The HTML5 specification has defined what the modern browsing experience should look like – fast, interactive, and with the least plugins possible. Although support for the standard is nowhere near completed, and remains wildly inconsistent across browsers, there’s still an amazing amount of functionality on offer.

What you might not know is that these individual components of the HTML5 are largely considered to be APIs in the truest sense. How so? Well, firstly, like all APIs, there’s a published and carefully designed standard of how this functionality of the browser works, and how developers use it.

Much like the Appear.in API, or the Facebook or Instagram API, developers use this standard and functionality in order to make data transactions, like with the IndexedDB API, or to access browser functionality, like with the Canvas API.

APIs In Government

In recent years, we’ve seen an unprecedented opening of government, and a sustained surge towards transparency. In the UK, we’ve seen the launch of data.gov.uk, which is a ‘one-stop shop’ of government datasets and statistics, ripe for analysis by statisticians, journalists and data scientists. In the US, they’ve also been steadily marching towards openness, but with a slightly different edge. Rather than just distribute their open data as excel spreadsheets and CVS files, they’ve chosen to use APIs.

This project is perhaps one of the first of its kind, but has been a phenomenal success, with a majority of US government agencies releasing open data sets, including the National Institute of Health, the US Army, and the Department of Homeland Security.

For the most part, to take advantage of these APIs, you’ll likely need to have a solid background in programming, as well as a degree of competency in data visualization, data science and statistics. But as an end-user, you can take advantage of the applications and websites that use these datasets. One impressive one I’ve noticed is AirNow, which allows you to monitor air quality in your neighborhood.

America is not alone in using APIs to open their government and increase transparency. Other governments who have since released open data APIs include those of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

The Rise of the API

APIs sound dull, but they’re anything but. They’ve changed the ways governments operate, and they’ve brought an unprecedented range of choice when it comes to how you use the Internet. But what do you think? Do you share my enthusiasm? Tell me about it in the comments section.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment

Name *

Email *

Todd

December 15, 2016 at 6:05 am

Very good intro into the api and it's uses. If you ever get a chance can you do an article on how to make use of API's is there an application you put them in or do you just copy the Web address and surf to it one at a time. I did down load on piece of SW (json pro free) off play but it is confusing deciding what to put where. I would really like to learn this because it's obvious that API make the Internet much more valuable. Thank you for hearing me out. And thank you for all excellent tutorials and articles .

Haha, all of my friends are also excited about APIs. I never was, but after reading this, I don't know, there's something about people being excited about things that gets you excited too. You know? Keep writing, can't wait to see what comes next. :)

Very clearly and simply explained Varun. APIs are the handshakes which have helped to extend the web like never before. Imagine what would we do without photosharing and video embedding. Mashups are of course the next wave of web apps.

Matthew Hughes is a software developer and writer from Liverpool, England. He is seldom found without a cup of strong black coffee in his hand and absolutely adores his Macbook Pro and his camera. You can read his blog at http://www.matthewhughes.co.uk and follow him on twitter at @matthewhughes.